1st-Ld-Writethru: Partnership ends as China's Bright Dairy confirmsDanone's stake sale SHANGHAI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Bright Dairy and Food Co.

France's Groupe Danone SA has agreed to buy baby-food maker Royal Numico NV of the Netherlands for $16.8 billion in cash, the companies said Monday.

By Ashley M. Heher CHICAGO -- Kraft Foods Inc. announced Tuesday that it offered $7.2 billion in cash to acquire the cookie and cereal division of French food company Groupe Danone SA in a deal that would give America's biggest food and beverage company an even larger foothold around the globe.

By Robert Manor, Chicago Tribune Jul. 4--Kraft Foods Inc. announced plans Tuesday to buy the cookie and cereal business of French food company Groupe Danone SA for $7.2 billion, an investment the maker of Oreos and Ritz hopes will broaden its reach globally.

PARIS - Groupe Danone SA, the French food company rumored to be the target of a planned takeover bid by PepsiCo Inc., posted a 37 percent drop in first-half net profit Thursday, weighed down by a 200 million euro ($241 million) charge.